Clotting Factor Replacement for Hemophilia

Treatment Overview

Hemophilia can be treated by replacing missing blood clotting factors. This is called clotting factor replacement therapy. Clotting factors are replaced by injecting (infusing)
a clotting factor concentrate into a vein. Infusions of clotting factors
help blood to clot normally.

Clotting factor replacement therapy can treat bleeding episodes or prevent bleeding. It can prevent severe blood loss and complications from bleeding such as damage to muscle, joints, and organs.

Clotting factor concentrate

Plasma factor concentrate is made from human plasma. The plasma is processed to separate the clotting factors from the other parts of the plasma. This creates the clotting factor concentrate. The concentrate is processed to kill any viruses that might have been in the plasma.

Recombinant clotting factors are made in a lab. They don't come from blood. They are made with recombinant
DNA technology. They are concentrated into a powder form
that is then mixed with sterile water and injected.

Clotting factor concentrate can be given in a hospital. You can also give it to yourself or to your child at home. It is easily
stored. You can carry factor concentrate with you.

What To Expect After Treatment

If you give yourself (infuse) factor
concentrate on a regular basis, you can prevent some bleeds from happening.

If you infuse soon after a bleed begins, you can stop the bleed before it gets
bad. You might need further medical care. So work with your doctor to make a plan for what to do if you or your child has a bleed.

Why It Is Done

Control bleeding. Clotting factors can treat bleeding episodes. They are given as soon as possible after a bleed begins.

Prevent bleeding. Clotting factors can be given just before a procedure or surgery to prevent bleeding. You can also give yourself clotting factors just before you do
an activity that might cause a bleed. Some people give themselves clotting factors on a regular schedule, such as 3 times a week, to prevent bleeding. This is called prophylactic therapy.

How Well It Works

If you have a bleed, the infusion of clotting factors stops
bleeding within hours, although the exact amount of time varies. Heavy bleeding
takes longer to control than light bleeding. If the proper amount of clotting factors is given, bleeding will stop normally.

Clotting factors can prevent bleeding when they are given before a procedure, surgery, or an activity that has a high risk of causing a bleeding problem.

If you get clotting factors on a regular schedule to prevent bleeding, you likely will have fewer bleeding episodes. You might also have a lower risk of problems linked to bleeding. These problems include long-term damage
from repeated bleeding into your muscles or joints.

Risks

Inhibitors. Some people develop antibodies to the injected clotting factors. These antibodies are called
inhibitors. If you develop inhibitors, the
usual forms of clotting factors may not effectively prevent or stop
bleeding. Children are more likely to develop inhibitors than adults.

Viral infection. The risk of getting a viral infection from plasma factor concentrates is very low. These products are processed to kill viruses. The products are also tested to make sure they do not contain viruses. There is almost no risk of an infection from a recombinant clotting factor.

What To Think About

Adults and parents of children who have hemophilia
can learn to inject replacement
clotting factors. Children may also be taught to
infuse themselves with clotting factors at about age 10. Younger children and those
who have developed antibodies (inhibitors) may not be able to infuse
themselves.

Deciding about regularly scheduled treatment

If you are considering regularly scheduled clotting factor treatments, talk with your doctor. Together you can discuss the medical information and your personal preferences. Then you can decide what is right for you.

To make your decision, consider:

The benefits and risks of regularly scheduled treatment (prophylaxis) to prevent bleeding. Compare them to the benefits and risks of giving yourself injections only when you need them, in response to a bleed or before an activity that may cause bleeding.

Whether you want to give yourself the injections on a regular schedule or only when you need them.

What types of activities you do and if they raise the risk of a bleeding episode.

How much the cost of therapy matters to you. Getting regularly scheduled treatment can be very expensive. Health insurers may not cover the cost.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.